Inspirational message

“Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.” (Psalm 112:4)

In previous weeks we have looked at the beginning of Psalm 112 that says, “Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.”

We continue in Psalm 112 with verse 4, which continues to list characteristics and describe qualities of the person who fears God.

It begins with the phrase “Even in darkness…” This Hebrew word for darkness is “Choshek” which, according to the Lexical Aids to the Old Testament by Zodhiates, literally means “blindness, hiddenness, and judgment.” This visual image is one who is in some kind of difficult situation where the outcome is uncertain. The only relief is light that brings “illumination” and “enlightenment”.

Are you currently living in a dark place? Is the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” nowhere in sight? God knows your need and cares for you now. He has not left or forsaken you. He is much more concerned about you than you can possibly know.

In this Psalm, God gives the pathway to overcome darkness. Dawn will come for the “upright”, “gracious”, “compassionate and righteous man.” In this verse the word “dawn” is used as a verb, which means there is action. It is not just an event. It provides the wonderful picture of the promise of a new day and a new situation opening up for this kind of person.

All of these words were first used of God Himself before any individual person. Every good quality we may ever see in a man, woman, boy or girl is first found in God. He is the beginning.

For example, the words “gracious” and “compassionate” often are found together in the Scripture. Exodus 34:6 says, “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…’” “Upright” and “righteous” are also very positive characteristics important for the follower of Christ to understand. Proverbs 29:7 says, “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”

Aren’t these the characteristics you love about God? He is always this way regardless of how bad things may seem.

By His Spirit, we must allow Him access into the depths of our heart to make us this same way. Then we will flourish. Then we will experience the light dawning in our dark places.

By William “Carey” Northington

William “Carey” Northington of One Master Ministries in Xenia may be contacted at www.OneMaster.org.